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Elzhi

2016, oh 2016!?! At least you brought us some great music. The following records were our favorites this year. In no particular order, here are our ten…

Czarface – A Fistful of Peril

Inspectah Deck, 7L, and Esoteric continue to display amazing chemistry with their third album. Inspectah Deck has a post-Wu outlet for his talent and it’s a welcome breath of fresh air.

Highlights: Czar Wars; Dust

Elzhi – Lead Poison

Elzhi took quite a while to finish this Kickstarter funded album, but it was worth the wait. Lead Poison is introspective and creative. Who else would pen a story about becoming a bloodthirsty vampire?

Highlights: Two 16’s; Introverted

Skyzoo & Apollo Brown – The Easy Truth

Apollo Brown creates such a beautiful soundscape for Skyzoo. Simply a great listen from beginning to end.

Highlights: A Couple Dollars; Innocent Ambition

Royce 5’9 – Layers

After the heralded PRhyme project with DJ Premier and his work with Slaughterhouse, Layers is a very well crafted solo project by Royce 5’9.

Highlights: Tabernacle; Shine

Ugly Heroes – Everything in Between

Honest and thoughtful, it’s a delight to listen to Red Pill and Verbal Kent over another beautifully produced album by Apollo Brown.

Highlights: Today Right Now; Notions

Smoke Dza & Pete Rock – Don’t Smoke Rock

Pete Rock is simply superb on “Don’t Smoke Rock.”

Highlights: Black Superhero Car; Milestone

Masta Ace – The Falling Season

The 50 year old wordsmith continues to certify his legacy as one of the best. The beats on this album are a treat, as well.

Highlights: Mathematics: Story of Me

Torae – Entitled

This album stayed on rotation for much of the year. Solid album. Definitely one of our favorites.

Highlights: Imperial Sound; Get Down

A Tribe Called Quest – We Got if From Here…Thank you for Your Service.

A wonderful bookend to one of the greatest hip hop groups ever.

Highlights: We the People…; Whateva Will Be

Common – Black America Again

Common’s Black America Again is timely, soulful, and poignant. A true return to form.

Highlights: Home; Pyramids

Ras Kass – Intellectual Property: SOI2

A complete surprise. The beats on SOI2 serve as a proper platform to Ras Kass’ lyricism.

Highlights: Paypal the Feature; Constant Elevation

Okay, that was eleven.

These didn’t make the list, but are worth a listen:

Termanology – More Politics

There are a few great moments on More Politics (Just Politics, I Dream B.I.G., and We’re Both Wrong), but some of the beats and hooks are underwhelming.

Reks – The Greatest X

Too damn long, but there are an album worth of fantastic tracks on the 2016 release.